Manually operated breech-loading rapid-fire gun



April 2, 1946. F. R. WEAVER MANUALLY OPERATED BREECH-LOADING RAPID-FIREGUN Filed Feb. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 &

WWII r105 FLEMING R. WEAVER MBQM April 2, 1946. F-. R. WE AVER MANUALLYOPERATED BREECH-LQADING RAPID-FIRE G UN Filed Feb. 18,1943 2Sheets-Sheet' 2 I IP14.

I ll! FLEMING R. WEAVER & m IF Patented Apr. 2, 1946 MANUALLY OPERATEDBREECH-LOADING RAPID-FIRE GUN Fleming R. Weaver, Baltimore, Md.

Application February 18, 1943, Serial No. 476,287

2 Claims. (01. 42-10) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, asamended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described hereinmay be manufactured and used by or. for the Government for. governmentalpurposes, without the ayment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to ordnance devices, and particularly to agun of the manuallyoperated, breech-loading, rapid-firing type; and toammunition in the form of a projectile particularly constructed anddesigned therefor.

The primary purpose of the invention is to provide a light-weight,manually-operated, breech-loading, rapid-firing weapon for projectingsmoke and gas shells. However, as contemplated, the weapon may be usedfor firing high explosive projectiles and grenades, and use of theweapon is not limited to strictly military purposes but, as a gasweapon, may be effectively used for riot and mob control.

It will be also understood that while the invention contemplates anessentially low-pressure, short-range weapon, ranges comparable to thoseof the field gun may be obtained by increasing the strength of theoperating members of the weapon.

Further, in accordance with this invention, the un is designed formounting upon motorized vehicles, or upon a tripod or other suitablestand for stationary use as where greater accuracy or aim is required.It will be further understood, as the description proceeds, that therate of firing of the gun is governed by the speed of movement of theoperator, and the rapidity with which the projectiles can be introducedinto the chamber.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be betterunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of the gun embodying the features of thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view. thereof. Figure 3 is a longitudinalsectional view of the gun when loaded, the projectile embodying thefeatures of the present invention being also shown substantially inlongitudinal section.

Figure 4 is a rear end elevational view of the gun.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the chamber of the gun,with certain parts omitted; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, somewhat diagrammatic view showing the pinand slot connection between the locking sleeve and slide.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, numeral 5 indicates the barrelof the gun. This barrel, as preferably designed, is a. cylindrical tubewithout rifiing. However, in the event that greater accuracy andincreased range are desired, the barrel may be rifled withoutinterfering with the basic principles of the invention. At'the rear endthereof the wall of the barrel 5 is thickened as at 6 to provide achamber for the projectile indicated generally by the reference numeral1.

Sleeved on the chamber end 6 of the barrel is a breech block 8.. Theblock 8 is restrained against rotative movement about the barrel 5 as anaxis through the medium of a key 9 provided externally on the wall ofthe barrel 5 and accommodated in a way 10 formed internally on the wallof the breech block 8.

The breech block 8 is adapted to be extended longitudinally of thebarrel 5 for initially receiving the projectile l; breech block 8 beingprovided in the periphery thereof with an opening H of suitablesize anddesign to facilitate the placing of the projectile 1 within theretracted breech block 8.

As is believed obvious, when the breech block 8 is shifted forwardlyrelative to the barrel 5 the projectile 1 is moved into the chamber 6 ofthe barrel, the opening l l in the breech block 8 being closed by thewall of the barrel when the breech block 8 is in this forward position.

To compensate for wear, the head of the breech block 8 is provided witha threaded insert i2, and in facial contact with the inside of theinsert i2 is a pad l3 of highly compressed cushioned material that fitsagainst the end edge of the barrel 5 for sealing the chamber of thebarrel at said end and thereby insuring obturation or the prevention ofthe escape of gas from the chamber during firing of the weapon.

Sleeved on the barrel 5 in advance of the breech block 8, and rotatableabout the barrel '5 as an axis, as well as slidable longitudinally ofsaid barrel, is a lockin sleeve l4. At the adjacent ends thereof sleevel4 and breech block 3 are joined together in a manner to permit slidingmovement of the locking sleeve l4 and breech block 8 as a unit, while atthe same time per mitting rotation of the sleeve l4 relative to barrel 5and breech block 8.

To the ends just mentioned, locking sleeve l4 and breech block 8 arejoined together, in the present instance, through the medium of a tongueand groove joint; breech block 8 being provided with an internal annulartongue [5 fitting in a peripheral groove l6 formed on the sleeve M, andalso being provided with internal groove I! in which is accommodated anexternal tongue or rib l8 formed on the sleeve M. This tongue and grooveassembly just described is shown to advantage in Figure 3 of thedrawings. On the free end thereof locking sleeve i4 is provided with athreaded collar l9, closing the ends of L-shaped slots 2| hereinaftermore fully referred to.

Breech block 8 and locking sleeve M are releasably locked in the forwardor firing position shown through the medium of locking lugs or studs 20projecting radially from the barrel 5 and the aforementioned L-shapedslots 2i formed in the periphery of the sleeve it. Preferably there arethree lugs 25'. the lugs 2i] being located at diametrically oppositesides of the barrel and at the top of the barrel; slots 2! corresponding in number to the lugs 28 and being Slillilarly located on thelocking sleeve Hi, with the longer legs of the slots extendedlongitudinally of the sleeve and the shorter legs of the slots disposedadjacent the end of the sleeve joined with the breech block 8.Manifestly with the lugs 20 disposed in the shorter legs of the slots 2ithe breech block 8 and sleeve it are locked in forward or firingposition.

For effecting rotation of the sleeve H5 in either of two directions, andfor other purposes hereinafter made manifest, there is provided anactuating slide 22. The slide 22 is substantially semicylindric'al andfits the peripheries of breech bl ch 8 and. locking sleeve is inthemanner with tliiorward end of the Slide 22 bridgii'ig'tli'e jointbetween the breech block 8 and the sleeve Hia The actuating slide 22 ismounted in a manner to have sliding movement relative to sleeve l4 andbreech block 8, and in its forward end is provided with an angular slot23 in which is accommodated the head of a stud 2 carried by the sleeveid as shown in Figures 3 and 6, It will thus be seen that as the slide22- is shifted longitudinally relative to sleeve I4, stud 22 working inslot 23 will cause sleeve Hi to rotate either in a counter-clockwisedirection to align the longitudiiial legs of the slots. 2| with thestuds 29 thus freeing the locking sleeve id for movement with the breechblock 8 to a retracted or loading position upon continued movement ofthe slide 22 in the same direction; or in a clockwise direction uponmovement of the slide 22 forwardly to the limit of its movement in suchdirec'tion, incidental to firing the gun, for re -entry of the lugs 20into the shorter legs of the slots 2! to lock the breech block closedimmediately preceding the firing of the gun.

The slide 22 is supported for sliding movement through the medium of apair of guide bars or rails 25 located at opposite sides of the breechblock 8 and supported thereon through the megram of bosses 26 providedat one end of the breech block and bosses 2'! provided at theoppositeend of the breech block 8; the guide bars or rails 25 beingtrained through elongated eyes 28 provided on the slide 22 at oppositesides of latter, and having the terminals thereof secured to the bosses26, 21 by screws or other suitablev fastening elements.

For the purpose of maintainingthe proper relation-between the lockingsleeve Hi, the breech block 8, and the slide 22 during the operatingcycle (described hereinafter), there are provided springs 29 sleeved onthe guide bars or railsr.

ZSand; respectively impinging at one end against a lug 26 and at anopposite end against an eye 28 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The springs29 are, at all times, under compression, thereby to the slide 22through. the medium of the attaching'plate 32 and screws or othersuitable fastening elements 33 as shown in Figure 3.

For locking the slide 22 against movement relative to the breech block 8there is pivoted within an opening provided therefor in the attachingplate 32 a latch 34 that is cooperable with a keeper lug or abutment 35formed cxteriorly on the periphery of the breech block 8 as shown inFigure 3'. Latch 34 is formed with an integral trigger 36, and is biasedfor engagement with serving to bias the slide 22 to the rear at alltimes. Whenthe slide 22 is in its most forward position (when the gun isfired) the springs 29 serve to help return the slide to the positionshown in Figures 1 through. 3. The constant pressure of the springs 29also serve to maintain the latch 34 in the latched position as shown inFigure 3.

To facilitate manipulation of the slide 22 the-re is provided a pistolgrip 30 that is equipped with an integral trigger guard 3| and anattaching plate 32. The pistol grip 30 is secured ing'the cartridge orprojectile 7.

the keeper lug 35 through the medium of a spring 31 as clearly shown inFigure 3. It will thus be seen that whenthe latch 34 is engaged with thekeeper lug 35 as shown in Figure 3, slide 22 is releasably retainedagainst sliding move-- ment in a rearward or retracted position relativeto the breech block 8. I

At the rearwardmost end thereof, slide 22 is provided with an integralurn-standing web 38 forming a support for a firing pin 39.

The firingpin 39 is threadedly engaged with a threaded opening providedin the support 38 and is secured at the desired position of adjustmentin the direction of its length through the medium of a lamb-nut 49.

, The insert [2 carried by the breech block 8 is provided at the centerthereof with a twodiameter through bore or opening 4| to accommodate thepiercing point and forward end of the body of the firing pin 39 when theslide 22 is moved forwardly relative to the breech block 8'to fire thecartridge or projectile T,

The operation of the gun as thus far described may be briefly summarizedas follows: 7

Assuming the gun to be empty and in the closed and locked position shownin the drawings the pistol grip Sills gripped firmly in the right handwith the barrel 5 supported on a tripod, or other suitable support andthe trigger 38 is pressed to rotate against the action of the spring 31,thereby allowing slide 22 to be manually moved by the right handof theoperator to a retracted position relative tothe breech block 8. As theslide 22 is so retracted locking sleeve I14, by reason of the pin; andslot connection 24, 23, between the sleeve l4 and slide 22,- is causedto rotate in a direction to align the lugs in with the longitudinal legsof the slots 2!. Continued manual retraction by the right hand of slide2-2 is transmitted to sleeve l4 and breech block 8 so that slide 22,sleeve [4 and breech block 3, as a unit. are retracted relative to thebarrel for placing the opening ll in the breech block 3 beyond the rearend of barrel 5.

With the mentioned parts of the gun in the position just referred to inthe preceding paragraph, the cartridge or projectile 1 is placed withinthe breech block 8, and a quick forward motion relative to the barrelthen imparted to the slide 22. This will result in placing theprojectile 1 within the chamber 6 of barrel 5, and rotation of thelocking sleeve 14 in a clockwise direction to re -engage the laterallegs of the slots 2! with the studs 20 for locking the breech block 8 inplace; and continued forward mo ement of slide 22 relative to the breechblock 8, permitted by reason of the end of slot 23 extending parallelwith'the barrel 5'as shown in Figure 6, beyond the position shown inFigure 3 will cause the piercing point of the firing pin 39 to passthrough the opening M in insert I2 for firer. n the springs 29 serve toreturn the slide 22 to the rear.

The rate of fire of the weapon is, as apparent from the foregoing,governed by the speed of movement of the operator in completing thecycle of operation described, and the rapidity with which the cartridgesor projectiles can be introduced into the breech-block 3. It will beseen that the barrel is stationary with respect to the other parts ofthe gun, and only moves when the gun moves as a unit.

When not in actual use, whether loaded or unloaded, the parts of the gunare normally in the position shown in Figure 3, and in which position,it will be noted, firing pin 35 is safely retained in spaced relation tothe rear end of the breech block 8 and against accidental movement inthe direction of the breech block by reason of latch member 34 beingbiased by spring 31 into engagement with keeper lug 35.

As set forth in the statement of invention the gun of this invention maybe used with equal advantage for projecting smoke and gas shells, highexplosive projectiles and grenades. However, a shell or projectile suchas herein illustrated and designated by the reference numeral i will befound particularly adaptable for use with the gun of this invention.

Shell or projectile l, as contemplated by this invention, is aself-contained unit and the design thereof, rather than being providedfor any specific filling, is adaptable to burning type mixtures forthermal dispersion or fillings dispersed by burster charge; the mixtureor filling herein shown and designated by the reference numeral 42 beingmerely by way of illustration and not by way of restriction. Further, asis more or less conventional with such types of shells, the same, inaccordance with this invention, is provided internally with a burster orfunctional element assembly consisting, generally, of a burster case 43having therein a burster charge 44 and a delay element or time fuse 45.These functional elements are conventional and the purpose and manner ofoperation thereof are well known to those skilled in the art.

A salient feature of the projectile of the invention is the provision,within the base of the shell, of a powder chamber d5 containing apropellant charge 41, the action of which is initiated by thefunctioning of a primer 68 secured in a position aligning with theopening 41 in the insert l2 when the shell I is in firing positionwithin the cartridge chamber 6 of barrel 5. The base of the powderchamber 48 is normally sealed by a frangible or inflammable retainerdisk t9, and this disk 49 as well as propellant char e M should be ofsuch a character as to leave no fouling in the chamber or barrel of thegun.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the shell or casingof the projectile l is characterized by having the base thereof flaredas at 50 to provide a combined head rim and gas check. Further, theflared end 56 additionally serves not only to seat the projectile in thechamber 6 of the gun, but compresses as the projectile is driven throughthe barrel 5, serving to prevent loss of pressure From the foregoing, itwill also be apparent that when the piercing point of the firing pin 39pierces the primer 48 in the firing of the projectile the primerinitiates the action of the propellant charge ill in the powder chamber46, followed by the ignition of the delay element 45,

incorporated in the aforementioned functioning elements, either from theflash of the primer 48 or the flash from the propellant charge E l. Theburst of the propellant charge ruptures the frangible or inflammableretainer disk 49 and builds up sufficient pressure within the gun toproject the projectile I; and the combined head rim and gas check formedby the flare 5i compresses as the projectile is driven through thebarrel, thereby preventing loss of such pressure, with obturation beinginsured by the highly com pressed cushion pad l3 sealing the rear end ofthe shell chamber 6.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A gun comprising a barrel, a breech block 7 and a locking sleeveslidable over the barreL'said breech block and sleeve being so connectedtogether as to permit rotative movement only of the locking sleeverelative to the breech block, inter-engaging means on the locking sleeveand barrel operable upon rotative movement of the locking sleeve in onedirection for releasably looking the sleeve and breech block to thebarrel in forward position, and an actuator slide movable longitudinallyof the barrel, sleeve and breech block and connected with said lockingsleeve for imparting rotative movement to the locking sleeve; theconnection between said locking sleeve and slide being such as to permitlimited longitudinal movement of the slide relative to the lockingsleeve and breech block, spring means urging said slide rearwardlyrelative to said breech block and sleeve to rotate and thereby unlocksaid sleeve from said barrel, and a latch normally holding the slide ina predetermined position relative to the breech block.

2. A gun comprising a barrel, a breech block,

, and a locking sleeve, the breech block and sleeve each surrounding andaxially slidable over the barrel, means connecting said sleeve andbreech block together, said means so constructed and arranged that thebreech block and sleeve are secured to each other against axialseparation but that they can rotate relative to each other,interengaging means on the locking sleeve and barrel operable uponrotative movement of the locking sleeve in one direction for releasablylocking the sleeve to the barrel in forward position, an actuator slide,spring means connecting the breech block and slide, said spring meansbiased to force the slide rearwardly relative to the breech block, amanually releasable latch for preventing unlocking movement of the sliderelative to the sleeve, means connecting said slide to said sleeve, saidlast means so constructed and arranged that there is longitudinalmovement of the slide, sleeve and breech block relative to the barreland rotative movement of the sleeve relative both to the slide and thebarrel, and a firing pin mounted on the actuator slide said pin andslide so constructed and arranged that the firing pin projects into thebreech block upon forward movement of the slide relative to the breechblock, sleeve and barrel, said last connecting means so constructed andarranged that the rearward movement of the slide after firing rotatesthe sleeve so that it is unlocked from the barrel, said sleeve, breechblock, and slide then moving longitudinally rearwardly of the barrel.

FLEMING R. WEAVER.

